Summary:J. Van Lindley’s ancestors were some of the early pioneers in America. They moved from England to Ireland, then on to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Indiana. At each turn they intersected with great historical events - pre-Revolution, Revolution, Civil War and the Industrial Revolution.

This book covers 5 sections:

⁃ Introduction: This section includes a short introduction and insight into the origin of the family name. ⁃ Early and then Immediate Ancestors: The interesting lives of J. Van Lindley’s ancestors are explored, including: ⁃ Thomas Lindley, Sr. (1705-1781), who married Ruth Hadley donated the land and started the Quaker church Spring Friends Meeting in central NC and on whose land the “Battle of Lindley Mill” was fought. The full battle and events leading up to it are described in detail. ⁃ Thomas Lindley, Jr. (1740-1833), who married Sara Laughlin Evans and Margery Buckingham and donated the land in 1800 and started the Quaker church South Fork Friends Meeting in central NC ⁃ Aaron Lindley (1768-1853), who married Phoebe McPherson and owned land in both North Carolina and Indiana ⁃ Joshua Lindley (1804-1881), who married Judith Henley and Mary K. Owen, and one of the first Nurserymen in Indiana and North Carolina ⁃ J. Van Lindley: His life is explained in detail, based upon available historical facts and supplemented with family histories. ⁃ John Van Mons Lindley (1838-1918), who married Mary Coffin and Sandia Cook, and became the largest Nurseryman in North Carolina with over 20,000 customers and founder of many businesses, including Jefferson-Pilot Insurance and Pomona Terra Cotta (which supplied pipes for most of the sewers in NC from 1888-1970) ⁃ Legacy: J. Van Lindley left a large legacy, which spread, to many within his family and throughout his community of Greensboro and, through his companies, across the United States for many years following his death.